What does BRICS mean for China?

This research paper by Dr Niu Haibin examines China's strategic motivations for participating in the BRICS group, framing it as a means to collectively reshape global governance and move toward a multipolar international order without acting as a direct counterbalance to Western powers.

• China views the BRICS summit as a platform for emerging powers to collectively influence the international system, which was primarily established and led by Western powers, to better reflect the concerns of rising nations.
• The BRICS group is not intended to serve as a counterbalance to Western powers, but rather to facilitate more equal and effective interactions to establish a world order based on multi-polarity, justice, fairness, and democracy.
• China utilizes BRICS to build consensus among members for G20 summits and to align domestic development agendas with global issues, particularly as emerging powers seek new markets following the 2008 financial crisis.
• Despite its potential, BRICS exhibits weak leadership in global affairs, evidenced by its inability to agree on a candidate for the IMF head or a unified position on the Libya issue.
• The inclusion of South Africa is expected to increase the group's dynamism regarding international development cooperation, specifically within Africa.

APA

Haibin, N. (2011). What does BRICS mean for China? South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/research/what-does-brics-mean-for-china/

Chicago

Haibin, Niu. What does BRICS mean for China? South African Institute of International Affairs, 2011. https://saiia.org.za/research/what-does-brics-mean-for-china/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Haibin |first1=Niu |title=What does BRICS mean for China? |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=23 September 2011 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/what-does-brics-mean-for-china/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{haibin2011what, author = {Haibin, Niu}, title = {{What does BRICS mean for China?}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2011}, month = sep, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/what-does-brics-mean-for-china/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }